How can your experience with a culture be reflected in the way you capture it in a photograph?  How might you utilize images to narrate your experience during your stay in London?  How can developing an appreciation of photography parallel a greater understanding of London as a global city? This course is intended for students with an interest in the history, theory and practice of photography. It is designed to familiarize students with skills that combine photographic composition and camera operation, together with conceptual ideas, especially those of narrative photography.

Through the use of the lens, students will be encouraged to document their experience with London as a city.  Through classroom learning and field exploration, students will be exposed to an educational experience that challenges them to capture their knowledge and experience with London’s history, architecture, and cultural diversity.  Students will learn to blend elements of photojournalism and aesthetic photography in order to challenge their creative abilities whilst creating a unique portfolio exhibiting their new-found knowledge and understanding of London as a global city.  Central to the course is the exhibition of student work at the end of the term to showcase their journey from new arrivals to Londoners.

 SAMPLE CO-CURRICULAR POSSIBILITIES

• The Photographers' Gallery
• Tate Modern
• Museum of London

REQUIREMENTS

A camera is required for the course. Any camera is suitable – except a camera on your phone – however, if students are able to access a camera with the following features, then this is recommended:

• Used Canon 300D. Now superseded and only available used on eBay and in shops etc. Buying used items from eBay is obviously slightly riskier, but the image quality and control you get for this price is still better than a modern compact with a tiny sensor and fiddly menu etc. Visiting a used camera shop is another option, with less risk attached, but also probably a slightly higher price.
• Panasonic LX5. Now superseded by the LX7 but still widely available. Fully manual and reputedly excellent image quality.
• Canon 1100D. A good quality and very cheap (for a DSLR - including standard zoom lens) entry-level DSLR.
• Nikon D3200. A step up from the Canon 1100D, although more expensive. 
• More information can be found here

COURSE OUTLINE